The sold-out crowd of 1,900 arrived early, jostled for prime seats and boogied to “Oye Como Va” and “Smooth” as the guitarist and his top-notch 10-piece band launched the summer series.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
It was a weekend for parties and CD-release celebrations, along with the usual musical mayhem from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo, captured in images at Local Spins.
Touring behind “Corazon,” the legendary guitarist’s sold-out, season-opening show promises to bring ageless passion to the outdoor amphitheater.
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos
Flying under the radar in West Michigan, the 21-year-old singer already has racked up hits on the pop charts and worked with Grammy-winning producers. She’ll debut her live show this summer. Check out the exclusive in-studio video.
Reveling in his role as a brand new father, the driving force behind Earthwork Music credits Michigan’s “awesome music community” for bolstering his latest recording.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
The 97 LAV Budweiser Blues on the Mall launches its 23rd year in Grand Rapids with blues guitar phenom Kelly Richey on June 18 and includes an early August tribute to Walter Trout.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
West Michigan welcomed summer early by turning amps to 11 with help from surf-rock’s Concussions, jazz pioneers Richard Pinhas and The Moon, metal’s Mushroomhead, blues’ Rusty Wright and a bunch of fun-loving VW bus owners, captured in images at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Features · Photos
Local Spins’ David Specht and photographer Tori Thomas experienced Buses by the Beach on Friday, capturing the camaraderie and music of the 13th annual event, held at Camp Blodgett.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
The Celadon Summer Concert Series is back, adding to a long list of free outdoor summer shows across West Michigan. And today’s the deadline for bidding on some bracing house concerts by acclaimed Michigan bands.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Upcoming shows
Nicholas James & The Bandwagon, Delilah DeWylde & The Lost Boys, The Muteflutes and more are part of the lakeshore event that began a dozen years ago with 12 VW buses. And check out the premiere of a new song, “Bus Life,” written just for the festival.
This week’s edition of the Guest Playlist comes from an erudite music maven and musician whose song roster ranges from hip hop to blues, from The Casket Girls to The Handgrenades and Heaters.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
Tickets for the second of three straight August concerts planned for the ballpark north of Grand Rapids go on sale at 10 a.m. Thursday.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
It was a weekend of dynamic performances, some by West Michigan bands The Soul Syndicate, Murder Party, Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish and a dozen bands at the Bona-Who? fest. (Photos, videos)
More weekend photos: Seether, Downtown Fiesta, Manchester Orchestra, Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish, Murder Party and more in photos from Anthony Norkus, Tori Thomas, Eric Stoike, Anna Sink, Kristine[…]
Led by the uninhibited androgyny of frontman Kevin Barnes, the glammy indie-rock ensemble energized Grand Rapids fans with a theatrical feast. Review, photos.
The seven-piece Grand Rapids soul band with an inspiring lead singer makes its public debut at the Tip Top on Saturday. Check out the Local Spins Artist Spotlight preview and an exclusive premiere of a new Soul Syndicate song.
The inaugural Grand Rapids music festival was to unfurl Friday and Saturday in a pair of Eastown homes and promised to be a multi-genre, waffle-filled affair. But a complaint led to its cancellation.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Videos
A hidden gem along Lake Michigan’s shoreline, the guitarist with an impressive past shines these days as a vintage country music artist. (Video)
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The weekend started early with some soulful Fitz and continued with rousing celebrations: Seven Steps Up’s 100th show, GR Songwriters Alliance’s 10th anniversary and Local Spins’ rollicking second anniversary rock show.
More weekend photos: GR Songwriters Alliance Showcase, Krafty Kuts, Pat McGee, The Legal Immigrants, Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish by Anthony Norkus, Eric Stoike, Kevin Reedy and Anna Sink.[…]
Features · Playlists · Top 10 Lists
Welcome to the debut of the Local Spins Playlist, kicked off by Dan Rickabus, whose wildly eclectic song picks include Radiohead, Seth Bernard, The Beatles and some artists, well, you’ve probably never heard before.
The Grand Rapids rock band headlines Friday night’s free Local Spins Live show at Rockford Brewing, and judging by their track record, fans can expect a scorching, high-energy affair.
With the GRSA turning 10, members will deliver some of “the best songs no one’s ever heard” during Friday’s event.
Really, it’s true. West Michigan’s unique and ‘intense’ listening room celebrates a major milestone with Thursday’s performance by East Coast singer-songwriter Pat McGee.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
From all-out rock shows to soul and funk to EDM to jazz to acoustic guitar wizardry, the weekend unfurled in eclectic fashion across West Michigan, captured in photos at Local Spins.
Photos by Anthony Norkus, Eric Stoike, Anna Sink, Kevin Reedy and Katy Batdorff Email John Sinkevics at jsinkevics@gmail.com. Copyright 2014, Spins on Music
Breaking music news · Features
After computer issues caused some delays in notifying acts, the Grand Rapids Festival of the Arts has finalized the performance schedule for June 6-8 and it’s now online.
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos
The popular, award-winning Lansing-based band in this week’s Local Spins Artist Spotlight performs regularly in West Michigan and brings its soulful charm to Grand Rapids on Saturday night.
The veteran Nashville rock band, which is touring behind a brand new album, plays the Tip Top on Friday, with West Michigan’s The Dushanes opening the show.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
The summer of live music gets ever more jam-packed in the Grand Rapids area. Check out the lineup for GRandJazzFest, Freedom Cruise and Jazz at the Zoo.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
Two music festivals with major aspirations return this year to Kent County — one to the south, the other to the north — with Cowpie’s two-day affair aiming to feature 15 local and regional acts.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
With a mid-week show, The Soil & The Sun’s Grand Rapids homecoming launched several days of live gems that included singular sets by Jimmie Stagger, The Outer Vibe, Chance Jones, Junior Valentine and Alice Peacock.
Photos by Katy Batdorff, Anthony Norkus, Kevin Reedy, John Sinkevics
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
The June 1 Santana concert led the way in sales on a crazy first day as several hundred concertgoers lined up early to ensure they’d land spots for popular acts. Sixteen shows have now sold out.
Returning to Fifth Third Ballpark in 2013 after losing money on its downtown festival, Rock the Rapids continues to look for ways to bolster its finances and find an appropriate site.
Breaking music news · Features
St. Cecilia won’t host an ArtPrize musicians’ showcase this fall, but more busking stations will be added for performers.
The rootsy five-piece Grand Rapids indie-folk/country band releases its debut album at Founders on Saturday. Read the story for a chance to win a copy of the new CD.
With special guests galore, the DJ crew regularly delivers soul and funk to Billy’s Lounge and The Pyramid Scheme, growing a devoted, dance-happy audience in the process.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
From Root Doctor to Kari Lynch to Brian VanderArk to The Crane Wives: Strong lineups power outdoor summer concerts in Rockford, Holland and Wyoming for 2014.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The long holiday weekend teemed with music, including Mid-Life Crisis at Forest Hills Fine Arts Center’s 10th anniversary, Granger Smith, Hannah Rose Graves and Breathe Owl Breathe.
Commentary · Features · Upcoming shows
West Michigan’s celebration on Saturday is as much about history, nostalgia and supporting local record shops and bands as it is about snapping up exclusive vinyl releases. Dodds hosts its first RSD under new ownership, while Vertigo Music and The Corner Record Shop continue to make the day a real party.
The veteran Grand Rapids guitarist, performer and instructor fronts an intriguing new trio with mandolinist Jason Wheeler and percussionist Brandan Grinwis, mining American roots gems. (Story, podcast, video)
Saturday’s unprecedented anniversary concert will pay tribute to decade of international stars who’ve played the venue and bring more than 70 performers to the stage in a rare spectacle.
Intimate vocals and moving songwriting marked the band’s concert Tuesday night at the Calvin College Covenant Fine Arts Center in a show rescheduled from January.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
The two-month celebration of Michigan music starts with Afro Zuma and a kid-interactive “Family Appreciation Night” and wraps up in August with Ralston & Friends.
National tours of note made West Michigan stops, but there was plenty more with a big lineup of regional acts at Jake’s Music Festival plus shows by The Bangups, Seabird, Scott Pellegrom & Kevin Kozel, Nathan Kalish and Teddy Geiger.
Breaking music news · Features
The keyboard ace for bands such as Jive at Five and Blue Molly who died Saturday of an apparent heart attack remembered as a terrific friend and versatile musician.
The much-praised Cincinnati-turned-Brooklyn band unfurled a bona fide rock spectacle for a well-behaved, enthusiastic crowd at Calvin’s Van Noord Arena on Saturday. (Review, photo gallery)
This week’s Local Spins Artist Spotlight shines on a Grand Rapids folk-rock trio which blends the voices of a seasoned singer-songwriter and a classically trained vocalist. (Podcast, video)
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
The unique Interlochen venue in northern Michigan hosts more than two dozen stars – from Lynyrd Skynyrd to Buddy Guy – with tickets on sale April 18. And Hoxeyville returns in mid-August to the Manistee National Forest.
